A secondary-school project that engages pupils in a challenging, educational and fun-filled week has begun.
Organised by the All Wales School Liaison Core Programme (AWSCLP) the MOY (Motivating our Youth) Summer Project is now underway with pupils from across the six counties of North Wales taking part.
The aim of the programme is to provide diversionary team building opportunities for Year 8 disengaged pupils, regardless of their background or circumstances, in a safe environment.
Across Wales MOY is being led by the School Community Police Officers in partnership with various agencies such as the Youth Service, Welsh Ambulance Service and the Fire and Rescue Service.
Over the space of a week the pupils are taking part in classroom-based activities and physically challenging initiatives that promote team building. During the week they will visit specialist outdoor pursuit centres and try their hand at activities ranging from white water rafting to kayaking.
Schools Liaison Coordinator for North Wales Police, Mannon Williams said: “All pupils taking part were nominated by their schools and we hope they will thoroughly enjoy themselves whilst learning new skills, trying out new sports and making new friends.
“This will be a great opportunity for the officers to get to know the pupils a little bit better outside of the classroom and I look forward to hearing about their experiences once the project has finished.”
In North Wales activities include visiting Plas Menai on the outskirts of Caernarfon, Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay, highrope climbing in Betws-y-Coed, Parc Glasfryn, Nantyr Outdoor Centre near Llangollen, Gorge walking in Llanrwst, wall climbing in Pentre, Flintshire and Ice skating in Deeside.
The classroom-based activities also include an input from the Welsh Ambulance Service, lessons on how to make ‘mocktails,’ visits from Youth Workers and the Arson Reduction Team , inputs from the North Wales Police Dog section as well as the ‘Wagtail’ sniffer dogs.
All pupils who complete the week will have their achievements recognised and in addition to their endeavours they will be accredited by the Children’s University.
National Co-ordinator of the All Wales School Liaison Core Programme, Linda Roberts said: “To achieve the aim of the Programme the School Community Police Officers work with children all year in schools. The MOY project will extend the officers work into the school holidays and will assist in strengthening these relationships by promoting positive citizenship in a more relaxed environment.”
The MOY dates for North Wales are as follows: Gwynedd (4-8 August), Denbighshire (4-8 August), Anglesey (11-15 August), Conwy (11-15 August), Wrexham (18-22 August) and Flintshire (18-22 August).
